Belfort: TRT not reason I fight in Brazil

Some fans and media have accused the UFC of purposely using Vitor Belfort only in Brazil to shield him from the strict drug testing of athletic commissions stateside. UFC President Dana White has denied the claim and Belfort today told the MMA Hour his reasons:

“A lot of fighters are on TRT right now, (but) everybody’s saying that’s why I fight there,” Belfort said on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “But I believe the reason why I fight in Brazil is because I sell a lot in Brazil. I miss fighting in Las Vegas and other places, but I don’t see any problems that I’m not fighting (there) because I sell big in Brazil. Makes sense for them and makes sense for me.”

For those who claim Belfort isn’t well tested when he fights in Brazil, he has an answer for that. And “The Phenom” warns Henderson that, if he applies for TRT, he will have to do some extra tests.

“Brazil is the only place that they do blood tests after the fight,” he said. “Now, I’m fighting a guy who’s on TRT too. They are very surprised that they will have to test blood too. Two months before the fight I have to do blood tests, at least once a month. I do that on my own every week too. It’s important. I’m just trying to be fair with everybody and also with myself.”

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